Be a Flu Fighter

Influenza is a serious illness, especially for young people and those with underlying medical conditions. In fact, Canadians are more likely to die from influenza than any other infectious disease.

To help protect the health and safety of the vulnerable children we serve, as well as everyone who works, learns and volunteers here, Holland Bloorview is once again implementing our influenza vaccinate-or-mask policy this fall. Employees, students and volunteers have a choice to either vaccinate against influenza or wear a mask during influenza season.

What changes have been made to the vaccinate-or-mask policy this year?

The Toronto Academic Health Sciences Network (TAHSN)’s policy implementation committee has updated the policy to capture learnings from the first year of implementation and continue to support the aim of the policy.

The following noteworthy updates have been made:

Every effort will be made to limit the duration of the Vaccination or Mask Required Period to the shortest period required to protect clients from high levels of circulating influenza. The duration will be determined by a task force consisting of participating TAHSN leadership, Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) medical experts and the Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto (or designate). The Task Force will regularly monitor influenza activity.

The Task Force will also monitor the influenza strain(s) circulating in the community to assess how effective the vaccine is against those viruses. In an effort to offer the best protection to clients and care providers, the Task Force will provide recommended action in the very rare situation where the predominant circulating influenza strain(s) has substantially drifted from the vaccine. The Task Force will recommend appropriate reasonable modifications to this policy, up to a potential requirement that all employees, students and volunteers, regardless of their influenza vaccination status, may be required to wear a mask during the Vaccination or Mask Required Period. It is important to take all reasonable precautions for the protection of both clients and care providers.

Why implement an influenza vaccinate-or-mask policy?

The policy was developed and implemented last year in collaboration with a number of our Toronto Academic Health Sciences Network (TAHSN) hospital partners and was the result of extensive inter-hospital work to find the best approach to limit the spread of influenza in our hospitals.

There is strong evidence that when health-care providers are vaccinated there is reduced mortality among their clients and enhanced patient safety. There are also studies that suggest when influenza vaccination rates among employees increase, influenza outbreaks decrease.*

Wearing a mask helps prevent the transmission of influenza from health-care providers to clients when health-care providers are shedding the virus before symptoms appear and if they are asymptomatic.*

Employees, students and volunteers who choose not to vaccinate will be required to wear a mask in most areas of the main hospital site, including in patient care rooms, hallways, elevators, reception and waiting areas. Masks will not be required in the cafeteria (including the Tim Hortons line), the pool deck and meeting rooms/offices/cubicles when clients and families are not present. Click to read the full list of mask areas at the main site, our satellite locations and nursery schools.

Employees, students and volunteers who have received the vaccine will have a “flu fighter” sticker affixed to their badges, or can request a “Flu Fighter” card to carry on their person.

If you are choosing to receive the influenza vaccination, please keep in mind that it takes two weeks to take effect. This means that you must have received the vaccination two weeks prior to the start of the season or wear a mask until you have been vaccinated for 14 days. When influenza season is declared, a communication will be sent out (last year, flu season started in early December).

Other important information

Masks will be available throughout the hospital, including near elevators and at reception desks.

Whether you choose to get vaccinated, wear a mask or are vaccinated off-site, please complete an influenza vaccination decision form and drop it off at Volunteer Resources, room 1E115. If you choose to receive the vaccination off-site please send us proof by mail, email, fax or in-person. At your next shift or when you drop your proof of vaccination off in-person, pick up a flu fighter sticker or card to carry with you.

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Attn: Volunteer Resources Rm 1E115

150 Kilgour Road

Toronto, ON M4G 1R8

Fax: 416-422-7062

Email: volunteers@hollandbloorview.ca

Helping to prevent the spread of influenza by getting the influenza vaccination or masking during flu season is part of our many important infection prevention and control practices, which also includes excellent hand hygiene, covering a cough and avoiding the hospital when you are sick.

Information about influenza vaccination:

The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinate

The effectiveness of the influenza shot varies year to year, but it still provides coverage and can lessen symptoms if you do get sick

Trials have shown reductions in serious outcomes in clients as a result of improved vaccination rates among health-care providers

The influenza vaccine is safe and generally well-tolerated

The influence vaccine cannot give you the flu

The effects of the flu vaccine can wear off, so you need to get a new one every year to stay protected

If you have any questions about the policy, please contact the Director of Human Resources Tracey Millar at extension 7048 or tmillar@hollandbloorview.ca.

On-site flu shot clinics

It isn’t too late to get your flu shot at Holland Bloorview! Occupational Health continues to provide flu shots on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in room 5E120. To ensure an Occupational Health Nurse is in the office, please call ahead at 416-425-6220 ext. 3455.

Volunteer Portal

Family Voices

“I know firsthand that people can die from the flu. We need to do everything we can to prevent the spread of this illness.”

--Virginia, retired nurse and volunteer

“I get vaccinated every year to protect our clients who are vulnerable to serious complications from the flu.”

-- Randy, nurse

“My daughter spent four months in intensive care from influenza. Please get your flu shot and protect yourself and those around you.”

--Josh, family leader

“I want to do everything I can to stay healthy this season so I can continue my research to improve the lives of kids with disabilities. That’s why I’m getting vaccinated this year.”

--Maryam, research student

“Getting the flu shot is important to me because as a caregiver, I can’t be side lined by illness and I don’t want to make my kids sick, especially when they’re more medically fragile than other kids.”